December 9, 2014 - SAINT JOHN, NB. – Gardner Electric of Saint John has been awarded a $1.3 million contract from Irving Pulp & Paper, Limited to supply and install all of the lighting and electrical building services for the current Pulp Mill Modernization project underway in West Saint John.

Gardner Electric is installing 6500 feet of cable trays, which will carry 43,000 feet of electrical wiring for Phase 2 of the Pulp Mill Modernization.

The contract is expected to generate up to 15,000 person hours of work for local electricians and apprentices with support from supervisor and office staff positions.

The 12-month contract includes installation of 6500 feet of cable trays, which will carry about 43,000 feet of electrical cable to power the new chip plant and the new cook plant at the mill.

Gardner Electric will also install LED lighting for both buildings, as well as all receptacles, welding receptacles, fire alarms, and emergency exit lighting.

“A project like this keeps local businesses going. It’s very important to have local contractors participating. It keeps our workers home - they don’t have to leave New Brunswick,” said Paul Dickson, Project Manager of Gardner Electric. “We’re proud to be one of the many New Brunswick companies working on the Irving Pulp Mill modernization project.”

Gardner Electric has been in business in Saint John for over 30 years. Over the years, the company has been a valued local contractor for JDI forest products operations on many projects, large and small.

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About the Irving Pulp & Paper Modernization ProjectThe $450 million investment by J.D. Irving, Limited is the largest pulp mill project in Canada since 1993. The current phase of the project requires a total of 609,000 person hours of work, or 450 direct and indirect construction jobs. Today the project is averaging 1000 person hours a day for local construction workers, and about 40 New Brunswick companies have been awarded contracts.

About Gardner ElectricHeadquartered in Saint John, New Brunswick, Gardner Electric is one of the most respected electrical and instrumentation contracting construction firms in Atlantic Canada. Gardner Electric concentrates their expertise within the Major Industrial, Institutional, and Commercial sectors and employs over 300 people (across New Brunswick and Nova Scotia). Learn more at www.gardnerelectric.ca